TSAVO
The Tsavo ecosystem, spanning 22,000 km², is one of Kenya’s largest and most iconic landscapes and home to the black rhino. Ngulia Sanctuary, a major conservation success, is now 2.5 times over it’s carrying capacity for rhino. KRRE’s priority is to expand secure rhino habitat in the 3,500 km² area surrounding Ngulia, part of Kenya’s protected network, by building infrastructure and supporting KWS management in Tsavo West. This will create over 30 times more space, enabling Tsavo to host viable rhino populations while relieving pressure on overcrowded sanctuaries.
WHERE WE WORK
KRRE is built on decades of conservation success. Form a historic low of -380 individuals in the 1980s, Kenya’s black rhino population has now surpassed 1,000. But overcrowding in existing sanctuaries threatens further growth. Working in partnership with KWS, conservancies and other stakeholders, KRRE will provide the space and support needed for Kenya’s black rhino population to thrive.
KRRE current focus areas include Central Kenya and the Tsavo ecosystem. Together, these geographies hold the country’s largest black rhino populations, face critical overcrowding challenges, and offer the greatest potential to expand, reconnect, and secure habitats while delivering wide-reaching benefits for people and biodiversity.
CENTRAL KENYA
Central Kenya, home to unique species and iconic landscapes like Laikipia and Mount Kenya, holds a large share of the country’s black rhinos. Most key sanctuaries—including Borana, Lewa, Loisaba, Ol Jogi, and Ol Pejeta—are overcapacity, causing inbreeding risks, conflicts, and resource strain. KRRE will expand and reconnect habitats by upgrading protected areas to create a 3,000 km² contiguous sanctuary across private, public, and community lands—boosting biodiversity, community benefits, and climate resilience.